Aether, Can we ever be whole again?

"I don't exactly have anything to do..... except wander around more... I'm not used to having time off." She said, slipping the necklace on. "oh well, I probably will be off then, I don't want to waste your time"

Rheinne turned and left.


She wandered through the streets of the city. Taking in the sights, she reflected on the events of what happened in the shop. She began thinking about her life in general, thinking about all the people who have silently stepped in and out of it. She thought of all the people who exist without a single moment of distinction. It was so strange that here of all places, she should see someone who left her confused, and bewildered. She wandered on... lost in her musings

This post has been edited by RayneStorme on May 21 2012, 08:59:57 PM

Low ran through the streets quickly, trying to shake off his pursuers. Some poor person in front of him became an obstacle as he threw her behind him. The resounding trip of one of the officers was both a pleasing and saddening sound. He didn't want to hurt anyone, but he didn't exactly want to be caught either. With a quick slip down an alley way, he clambered on top of a building, and began to hop the buildings in an effort to put more ground between him and the officers.

As soon as Rheinne had left his store, his store home was invaded by several law enforcers. Low had all but forgotten about his old life of crime, but the law hadn't. They accused him of selling stolen goods, as well as stealing them in the first place. A true accusation. He feigned surrender, but got the slip on them by tossing a stand at them.

Low jumped down from the roofs and rolled to the ground. He hit his shoulder hard, causing him to stagger in his sprint. By now he was far from home, and friends in town were few and far between. Thats when he saw her. It was a longshot, but the resounding sound of footsteps was drawing ever near.

He ran up to her, saying "Hey uh... Rhienne was it? Look, theres not much time. I need a play to hide out, you have one?" He said, trying to hide the panic in his voice. He gave a quick glance over his shoulder.

Rheinne was snapped out of her reverrie by the sound of low's voice. She looked up at him, seeing the panic in his eyes, and followed his gaze as he looked over his shoulder. She saw the officers in persuit of him. Then what he said fully registered.

"Wait..." She was about to unleash a million or so questions upon him, but for some reason decided against it "Follow me."

She turned and ran off, expecting him to follow

Low chased after, feeling even more guilty than he'd before. First he came to terms of his crimes, and now he was asking someone he barely knew to save him from the cops. That made her an accomplice, didn't it? What he'd done in a few seconds of asking for help could potentially ruin her entire life if they were caught. He tried not to think of it. They wouldn't get caught.

At least thats what he hoped. He always was an optimist.

Rheinne ran through the well memorized streets. Zigging and zagging along. She thought about how if she were caught helping this guy she could lose her job, or be arrested... or worse. She shook her head, focusing on helping him. Up ahead she saw her car, no license plate, and easilly confused with any other it was the perfect getaway car. She unlocked it, and waited for him to get in.

Low gracefully slid into the car, panting heavily. "Book it!" He cried out. A glance out the window showed the cops just in time to watch the two get away. A flurry of bullets came their way, though none of them hitting. They were out of range by the time they'd brandished the guns.

For a moment Low just tried to catch his breath. He used to be very nimble when he was a thief, but over the years he'd given up grace for strength. He glanced over to Rheinne. "Uh.... T-thanks." He managed. He knew she'd have tons of questions by now.

Rheinne nodded in response to his thanks, and continued driving. They sat in silence for a few moments. She concentrated only on the road in front of her, carefully collecting her thoughts, trying to decide if she was angry, or if she even cared that this guy could have earned her a run in with the dim-witted government officials. She took in a deep breath, and slowly let it escape. Then she glanced over at Low.

"So...rough day?" She asked, her tone of voice calmer than she'd expected "Or is there something you need to tell me?"

She carefully maneuvered her way along a slim back road, as she looked for the place she had been searching for... It's been longer than I thought since I'd been here she thought while awaiting his response

Low wasn't sure what to tell her. He stared out the window at the passing scenery. She might freak out if he said outright what really happened, but then again her she was driving the get away car talking with what almost seemed to be humor. He cleared his throat for what was about to come.

"I was a bit of a thief when i was younger. Work was scarce. It put bread on the table, among other things." Low tried not to glance over to see if she was wearing the necklace. "But i gave it up. I got a store going, and started doing as many odds and ends jobs as i could. I guess the law didn't forget, though...." Low sighed. He actually had a life going for him there for awhile, and now it was gone. Just like that. The world had taught him to deal with hardship though, and he merely let out a sigh.

Rheinne glanced over at him for a moment, to see how serious he was, then let out a short laugh.

"Theft! For Crissakes with the number of officers they had after you, you'd think you murdered someon! Guess that shows you what humanity has become.. It looks like no one remembers compassion anymore..." She said and sighed.

They finally pulled up in front of the house. It stood in a vast field of land, no other place could be seen for a ways, and it was obvious no one had been there in years. Rheinne stepped out of the car.

Low sighed along with Rheinne. He felt like he should say something, but now words came to him. He simply nodded, silently agreeing with her. His first impression on her was seeming more and more far off now that he'd gotten to know her. If only the circumstances weren't so awful.....

When they arrived, Low slid out the door, taking a deep breath. Ah, only slightly polluted air. The good kind. He closed the door, taking a few slow steps toward the house. "Do you... own this place?" He asked. Something about the home peaked his curiosity.

This post has been edited by Falkalore on May 21 2012, 11:20:56 PM

"Well, Sort of... I guess... Yeah, I think I do... The deed is in my name. Though it no longer feels like mine... I haven't been here in years... not since...." She trailed off, letting her eyes fall to the ground as the memories hit her... It was all she could do not to cry out.

Her knees began to go weak as those memories often made them do, and she knew she would collapse soon, so she shoved them away and tried to keep her composure. She walked up the steps on the porch and opened the door.

Low had noticed Rheinne look suddenly ill. He was about to reach out to help when she hurried off to the door. He let it slide, for now. He stepped inside the house, close behind her, trying to see around him. "Well, its uh.... Dark to say the least. Any light, Rheinne?" He asked. He found a place to rest and gently sat down.

"Well," He started hesitantly, "Im so sorry to put you through this.... It means a lot you didn't just leave me there though." He sighed. It seemed he was doing that a lot lately.

Rheinne flicked on a light switch, as the room was illuminated you could see the rich furnishings, in the corner of the living room was a christmas tree, with its bent limbs, the presents still wrapped underneath. The walls were lined with family portraits, dusty but still recognizable. Rheinne sat on one of the chairs that were available. She had her face in her hands as she forced down the shaking.

"It was... nothing, really. I-i don't see w-why... you don't need t-to thank me... It was... it was obvious that you needed help..." She said through the memories

Low could easily sense her state of distraught. "Are.... You alright? Whats the matter Rheinne?" He wasn't quite sure of what to do at that point. Asking might just push her over the deep end, but then again what else would he do? "I told you a bit about myself, now its your turn. Whats going on?" He asked.

The tears came against her will, slowly they spilled forth from her eyes... She had never felt so weak. She saw no reason she should have to tell this guy her horrible past... but then again... maybe it could help. After all how could she hope to conquer anything if a mere memory could break her so easilly... It was time to tell someone. With a sigh Rheinne readied herself to speak, letting her hands fall from her face so as not to be muffled, she cleared her throat and began.

"It was the day before christmas... and I was very young. Actually this is the first memory that I can recall... I was playing in the woods that used to stand not too far from here, I had tripped and scraped my knee... so naturally I came home to get some antiseptic... As I broke the treeline I saw... I saw someone... a strange man fleeing my house... I ran inside, to ask my parents who the man was, and why he had left in such a hurry... Wh-when I noticed them lying on the floor of the kitchen... they were not moving... A-and around them... Around them was a pool of blood. I noticed that their eyes stared blank at the cieling... I called out to them countless times... but" Rheinne shook her head in distraught "But th-they never responded. I wished to call someone... anyone that could help... but then someone knocked on the door... Of course my mother had told me never to answer the door... s-so I was lost for what to do... The people outside were impatient, and they picked the lock. They seemed surprised to see me standing there unharmed. A woman dressed in white picked me up and carried me outside, though I kicked and yelled to be left with my parents... I--I couldn't understand what was going on... All I remember Is that she tried to comfort me, and the last thing I saw of my parents was when the men in white coats burned their bodies in the back of an incinerator van... Their death was never reported... and it was as if they never existed... It was years before I fully understood what happend that day..."

Rheinne was tense, and shaky, and she was amazed that the story came out as clearly as it did. She began to cry a bit more, but also... she felt a bit relieved at having shared it... albiet to a guy she had met only this morning, and again under very strange circumstances. She still had no idea what had made her help him... usually she would have just turned and left.